Chen Xinwei: Focus On Building A High-End, Intelligent And Green Modern Industrial System, And Comprehensively Build A Chemical Fiber Power

　　 Editor's Note:

　　 The extraordinary 2022 is over, and the confident 2023 is coming as scheduled. In 2022, the textile industry will also be deeply affected by the epidemic, with delayed resumption of work, reduced demand, and blocked logistics... However, after tough fighting and constant exploration, it will finally get through with better results. Looking forward to the future, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has opened a new chapter of Chinese style modernization, which has provided fundamental guidance for the future development of China's textile industry; The Central Economic Work Conference, which concluded not long ago, also sent a positive signal that economic operation is expected to pick up in 2023.

　　 At the end of the year and the beginning of the year, this magazine specially opened the column "Review 2022 and forge ahead 2023", inviting relevant leaders and experts to review the development of 2022, analyze the industry situation, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges in 2023.

　　 Since 2022, the chemical fiber industry has been under pressure in the face of complex and severe domestic and international situations and multiple factors. The high price of crude oil fluctuates sharply, the downstream demand continues to be depressed, the overall production and operation situation of the chemical fiber industry is grim, and the phenomenon of increasing income without increasing profits is widespread. However, in such an environment, the chemical fiber industry has shown strong resilience, and there are many highlights in the development of the industry. Recently, the reporter from Textile and Garment Weekly interviewed Chen Xinwei, President of China Chemical Fiber Industry Association, to analyze the reasons behind the industry's development achievements and look forward to the development prospects in 2023.

Chen Xinwei, President of China Chemical Fiber Industry Association

　　 The industry operates under pressure, and there are also some highlights

　　 In 2022, affected by various factors, the operation of chemical fiber industry will encounter unprecedented challenges, and the overall production and operation situation will be severe. The overall starting load of the chemical fiber industry in 2022 is weaker than that in 2021, the pressure on production and marketing is increasing, and the inventory of some products remains high. According to the data of the National Bureau of Statistics, the output of chemical fiber from January to November 2022 will be 61.77 million tons, a slight decrease of 0.1% year on year. Among them, the growth rate decreased significantly in the second quarter and decreased to negative growth in the third quarter. The industry's profit pressure is particularly prominent, and the enterprise's income increases without increasing profits. According to the data of the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to November 2022, the operating revenue of the chemical fiber industry increased by 6.4% year on year, but the total profit decreased by 65.05% year on year; The revenue profit margin was 2.13%, down 4 percentage points from 2021. The profits contributed by chemical fiber accounted for 12.5% of the profits of the textile industry.

　　 Investigating the reason, Chen Xinwei said that the core factor is insufficient demand. In 2022, the economic operation of the textile industry will generally slow down. From the perspective of the operating rate of major downstream chemical fiber industries, it will generally decline compared with the same period last year. In addition, due to the repeated impact of the epidemic, the uncertainty of domestic and foreign supply chain operation and enterprises' resumption of production has increased, which has brought great resistance to the normal production and operation of chemical fiber enterprises, especially small enterprises. The high and sharp fluctuations in crude oil prices have also seriously dragged down the chemical fiber market. In the first half of the year, the price of crude oil rose sharply, with a maximum increase of more than 60%, significantly increasing the raw material cost and energy cost of the chemical fiber industry, squeezing corporate profits and occupying a large amount of working capital. In the second half of the year, the price of crude oil fell rapidly, once falling back to the level at the beginning of the year. Although the cost of raw materials of enterprises decreased significantly, the chemical fiber market lost support. The continuous decline of product prices made sales more difficult. At the same time, the depreciation of inventory also seriously eroded the profits of enterprises.

　　 Chen Xinwei introduced that even under such a severe development situation, the chemical fiber industry has many highlights. First, the domestic carbon fiber industry still maintains a high profile, the market demand keeps increasing, the capacity scale grows rapidly, the production line is basically operating at full capacity, and several new projects are racing against the clock to catch up. According to the feedback of key enterprises, the main revenue and profit of the first three quarters have increased significantly compared with the same period last year, and it is expected that the whole industry can still achieve overall profits. Second, under the guidance of the new national development concept and the "double carbon" goal, the scale of the bio based fiber industry has maintained a rapid growth. For example, the key technologies of PLA fiber have been constantly making breakthroughs, attracting more attention, and the development trend of Lyocell fiber industry has improved significantly; Third, the pace of research and development of differentiated and functional fibers is accelerating. Large enterprises with good product development, good brand and high degree of internationalization have relatively good benefits and are less affected by market fluctuations; Fourthly, the export of chemical fiber still maintains a good growth trend. Under the difficult situation of 2022, the growth of chemical fiber export reflects the increase of international market demand and the improvement of the competitiveness of China's chemical fiber products. According to the statistics of China Customs, the total export volume of main chemical fiber products from January to November increased by 9.44% year on year, 2.1 percentage points higher than the average annual growth rate (7.3%) since the "13th Five Year Plan" (2015). Among them, acrylic fiber exports grew strongly, with a year-on-year increase of 203.75% from January to November. In addition, the export of polyester bottles and chips also showed a bright performance. After the year-on-year growth of 36% in 2021, the export volume continued to increase significantly by 42.99% from January to November 2022. Russia, the Philippines, Turkey, Algeria and Peru were the top five export markets.

　　 Steadily build a high-end, intelligent and green modern industrial system

　　 In 2022, the most important thing for the chemical fiber industry is that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on High Quality Development of Chemical Fiber Industry. The Guiding Opinions put forward a series of high-quality development goals to guide the chemical fiber industry to build a high-end, intelligent and green modern industrial system and build a comprehensive chemical fiber power. Chen Xinwei said that the Guiding Opinions issued by the two ministries and commissions are the plans or guiding opinions issued by the national ministries and commissions to promote the development of chemical fiber industry in the form of national industrial policies for four consecutive times since the "11th Five Year Plan" in 2006, which highlights the great importance they attach to the chemical fiber industry. The issuance of the Guiding Opinions is the most powerful mobilization of the national ministries and commissions to the whole industry based on a new starting point, which fully reflects the determination and confidence of the country to vigorously promote the high-quality development of the chemical fiber industry, and will certainly have a profound impact on the development of China's chemical fiber industry.

　　 At the same time, the Research on the Development Planning of China's Chemical Fiber Industry (2021-2025) (Chemical Fiber Yellow Book) was published. This book covers the scientific and technological development outline of the chemical fiber industry during the "14th Five Year Plan" period, gathers the research results of the industry development strategy of China's chemical fiber industry during the "14th Five Year Plan" period, and provides a reference for the next development of the industry.

　　 In general, under the guidance of national ministries and the efforts of the whole industry, the chemical fiber industry has made many achievements in science and technology, green and brand in 2022.

　　 Scientific and technological innovation has been fruitful: a number of scientific and technological achievements have been awarded the industry science and technology award and the national patent award. Shenma Industry, China Textile Academy and other units jointly completed the "development and industrial application of continuous polymerization multi head direct spinning technology of high-strength polyamide 66 industrial yarn", Weifang Xinlong Five projects, including "Research on Technology Integration of Inorganic/Organic Composite Flame Retardant Cellulose Fiber Based on 100000 ton Production Line", completed by Qingdao University and others, won the first prize of "Light of Textile" China Textile Industry Federation Science and Technology Progress Award; Eight projects, including "High efficiency and low consumption Lyocell fiber production technology and product development" undertaken by Tangshan Sanyou, and "copper series antibacterial, mildew proof and mite repellent fiber industrial technology development and application" completed by China National Textile Academy and Zhejiang Jincai, were awarded the second prize of Science and Technology Progress Award. In addition, many chemical fiber enterprises have won the New Product Development Contribution Award of China Textile Federation, which has enriched the supply of new fiber products and met the diversified downstream demand.

　　 The industry has made remarkable achievements in high-end and intelligent development. In the face of the new development situation, the whole industry pays attention to the research and development of new technologies to promote the high-end, intelligent and green development of the whole industry. For example, the viscose industry has developed energy-saving and emission reduction technologies such as multi effect flashing, steam cascade utilization, and efficient separation of sulfur containing wastewater; Lyocell fiber industry has developed technologies such as efficient dissolution, continuous efficient spinning, low cost and low energy consumption solvent recovery, and developed functional differential fiber products, which not only reduces production energy consumption, but also improves product performance and added value.

　　 In terms of digital transformation and upgrading, leading polyester enterprises have established a PTA polyester spinning trade polyester fiber full industrial chain industrial Internet platform system, developed data-driven intelligent control technology for the whole process of efficient fiber production, and realized large-scale, flexible and green production, as well as high-value and efficient fine management.

　　 In terms of high-performance fiber technology, the key technology of dry spinning PAN based carbon fiber precursor has been developed, which enriches the preparation process of PAN based carbon fiber precursor in China. Breakthroughs have also been made in key technologies and equipment such as large tow carbon fiber above 48K, high-strength and high model alignment aramid fiber, ultra-high strength and cutting resistant ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, which further improves the production and application level of domestic high-performance fiber, as well as the independent guarantee of key equipment.

　　 Hengyi Fund leads the scientific and technological innovation direction of the industry. Since its establishment in 2013, Hengyi Fund of China Chemical Fiber Industry Association has been focusing on advanced fiber new materials, key strategic fiber materials, cutting-edge fiber new materials, advanced structural materials, industrial textiles, intelligent manufacturing, green manufacturing, and fiber material application research for ten years. It has published many papers and proposed many soft topics to explore the forefront of industry development.

　　 Achievements of green development: Xinfengming and Haili Environmental Protection were rated as green design demonstration enterprises for industrial products; Ruibang · China Fiber Zero Carbon Action 2022 Green Fiber Products Credible Platform (STCP for short) was released online to help maintain the order of green fiber and textile markets, aiming to create a world-class certification platform; Saideli, Sanyou Chemical Fiber, Siliya and other member enterprises of the Green Development Alliance of Regenerated Cellulose Fiber (CV Alliance) released the Sustainable Development Report, actively implementing the "dual carbon" strategy; Green fiber certification continues to advance. Up to now, there are 40 green fiber and product certification enterprises, and the certified products cover recycled polyester, Lyocell fiber, chitosan fiber, PTT fiber, polylactic acid fiber, solution dyed nylon, polyester, polypropylene fiber, aramid fiber, polyimide fiber, recycled chemical fiber products, solution dyed chemical fiber products, etc. The group standard Technical Requirements for Certification of Green Fiber Products (T/CCFA 02009-2022), which was organized and completed by the Association, was implemented on October 1; The green factory standard system and the green design product standard system are steadily advancing. Sanyou Chemical Fiber under the guidance of the Association was rated as a provincial green factory, and Benma Chemical Fiber was rated as a provincial green low-carbon factory.

　　 Green Development and Environmental Protection of China's Chemical Fiber Industry (2021-2025) (Chemical Fiber White Paper) was published. This book combs the green development achievements of the industry during the "13th Five Year Plan" period, and includes carbon emissions, reuse of waste textiles, volatile organic compounds of key varieties, etc., which can help the chemical fiber industry practice the concept of green and low-carbon circular development Promote green transformation of the industry to provide reference.

　　 Brand building continued to advance: Tongkun · China Fiber Fashion Trend Activity continued to lead the collaborative innovation of chemical fiber ecosystem, and eight categories of popular fibers were released at the Tongkun · China Fiber Fashion Trend 2022/2023 press conference. As an important extension activity of "China's fiber fashion trend", the fiber road activity went into downstream enterprises, shared the fiber varieties released by Tongkun · China's fiber fashion trend 2022/2023, understood the pain points and difficulties of terminal brands in product research and development, discussed the feasible path of collaborative innovation, and laid the foundation for giving play to the value-added role of innovative fibers in terminal products. On cloud fiber road Millennium ® On "Bullet" series activities also built a bridge for Huafeng and downstream enterprises to strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, and meet needs.

　　 In addition, 14 chemical fiber enterprises such as Shenghong Group, Jilin Chemical Fiber and Tangshan Sanyou were selected into the list of 100 key textile and clothing brands to be cultivated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (2022), and the brand cultivation and construction of chemical fiber enterprises achieved remarkable results.

　　 Implement the spirit of the Twentieth National Congress of the Communist Party of China and move towards a strong chemical fiber country

　　 In 2022, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully held, providing a guide for high-quality development of the textile industry. In particular, the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward the direction of high-quality development. The Guiding Opinions on the High quality Development of Chemical Fiber Industry is consistent with the development ideas proposed in the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which has brought many opportunities for the future development of chemical fiber industry. Chen Xinwei put forward suggestions on how to seize these opportunities from the perspective of industry and enterprise.

　　 For the industry, we should focus on the following five aspects to promote high-quality development of the industry. First, we should improve the level of innovation and development of the industrial chain, such as building a solid foundation for innovation, strengthening regional layout, and cultivating pilot enterprises; The second is to promote the high-end development of new fiber materials, such as increasing the added value of conventional fibers, improving the production and application level of high-performance fibers, and accelerating the development of bio based chemical fibers and biodegradable fiber materials; Third, we should accelerate the intelligent digital transformation, such as strengthening the research and development and application of intelligent equipment, carrying out the construction of intelligent factories, and promoting the digital transformation of enterprises; The fourth is to realize the green and low-carbon transformation of the development mode, such as carrying out the construction of green factories, green products and green supply chains, promoting energy-saving and low-carbon development, improving the level of recycling, expanding green fiber production, and building a clean, low-carbon and recycling green manufacturing system; Fifthly, we should implement the strategy of increasing varieties, improving quality and creating brand "three products", such as optimizing the supply structure, strengthening standard support, and promoting brand building. Increase the supply of high-quality products, optimize the production and application system of high-performance fibers, cultivate well-known fiber brands, expand fiber application fields, lead the textile value improvement from the raw material end, and serve the development of strategic emerging industries.

　　 For enterprises, first, they should pay attention to environmental changes and policy trends, and formulate coping strategies and effective competitive strategies; Second, we should improve our internal skills and enhance our own development resilience; Third, we should do a good job in green and low-carbon transformation, such as focusing on energy conservation and consumption reduction, and the national "double carbon" strategy to reduce costs and increase efficiency; Fourth, accelerate the construction of informatization and intelligence; Fifth, actively seek breakthroughs and adjustments in product innovation to improve product added value; Sixth, comprehensively improve the level of production management, create efficient and agile operation capability, and help reduce costs and increase efficiency; Seventh, we should focus on the long-term and formulate the long-term development strategy of the enterprise.

　　 Chen Xinwei said that in 2023, with the adjustment and optimization of the national epidemic prevention and control policy, it is expected that the chemical fiber industry and enterprises may face greater challenges in the short term. After this painful period, the industry may enter a relatively benign development situation. The year 2023 is the first year of comprehensively implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the key year of the 14th Five Year Plan. The chemical fiber industry should continue to implement the overall requirements and key tasks of the Guiding Opinions on High Quality Development of the Chemical Fiber Industry, and move forward to high-end, intelligent and green high-quality development.

　　 As for the operation of chemical fiber industry, we should also adhere to the principle of making progress while maintaining stability in the current complex environment. First, it is necessary to carry out industry self-discipline and prevent operational risks. At this stage, it is mainly to reduce inventory and stabilize the market, avoid invalid vicious competition, and ensure the safety of enterprise cash flow capital chain. Second, the enterprise should make overall plans for epidemic prevention and control, production and operation, properly arrange the leave and return to work of infected employees, and make arrangements for returning workers to work after the holiday in advance to ensure normal production. Third, we will continue to deepen supply side reform, eliminate outdated production capacity and merge and restructure in accordance with the law and regulations, and properly control the speed and pace of new production capacity. Fourth, promote product R&D and innovation, lead demand and create demand.

　 Guo Chunhua